23 Apr East of Scotland Tennis secure support from the City of Edinburgh Council

East of Scotland Tennis has welcomed the support of the City of Edinburgh Council for the 2026 East Open for funding secured to support the districts flagship Tennis & Padel event being held at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre (Padel being hosted at Edinburgh Park) in May.

The Tournament is also part of the Tennis Scotland Tour and will bring together competitors from across the District, as well as players from throughout Scotland and the wider UK, reinforcing its status as one of the leading events in the Scottish Tennis calendar.

The East Open continues to grow in stature each year with over 400 competitors and the event dates back to the 1920’s, attracting a diverse field of entries ranging from emerging local talent to experienced national players. The event not only showcases high-level Tennis, but Padel was recently added to the programme to showcase growth and recognise the need for local competition for Padel players also.

The Council’s backing reflects a wider commitment to promoting active lifestyles and supporting community sport at all levels. By investing in events like the East Open, the City of Edinburgh Council aims to create more opportunities for participation, inspire future players, and strengthen the city’s sporting profile.

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said “Sport and physical activity play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing, while also bringing communities together. I’m proud to support this funding, which will help deliver an outstanding tennis tournament – creating opportunities for people of all abilities to connect, compete, and enjoy the game. Congratulations to the team for their dedication in making this event possible, and best of luck to everyone taking part.”

Viki Mendelssohn, Chair of East of Scotland Tennis, welcomed the funding and highlighted the event’s significance within the regional calendar “The East Open is a huge event for us,  it brings together Tennis and Padel players from across the city and beyond. We have also added a Tennis club event to this year’s programme which will be hosted at the Meadows.

Tennis in Edinburgh is absolutely booming, with over 3,500 people now taking part in our VMH Solicitors East of Scotland Leagues alone. That level of engagement shows just how strong and inclusive the tennis community has become. We are incredibly grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council for their support. The funding plays a vital role in helping us deliver an event of scale and quality for all participants.”